MMA has now risen to the level where it can set its matches on the same date with a boxing match as big as a Floyd Mayweather, Jr. headliner.

Go argue about which production “should” reap more PPV’s. Go argue which venue would fill to the rafters: the MGM Grand in fabulous Las Vegas or the double-A C in Dallas. It doesn’t change the fact that Dana White doesn’t see this as a problem anymore. And this says a lot!

It shows that MMA has finally thought it can take on its elder brother (boxing) in terms of PPV and ticket sales. It doesn’t matter which event gets the most PPV or ticket sales. It’s the thought – the bravado – that that matters. It says a lot about the organization’s growth.

MMA has reached that level of transcending its status as a pseudo-mainstream sport to something more popular. Famous athletes like Shaquille O’neal tweaks about joining the gladiators, but what is most telling is that MMA fighters like Randy Couture getting cast on a Stallone movie alongside the likes of Bruce Willis, Mickey Rourke, Jet Li, Jason Statham, and Sly himself.

Take a load of this: Axe tapped George St. Pierre for its TV commercial ad; Fedor; Cro Cop; Jason “Mayhem” Miller; Wanderlei Silva and Mark Coleman (rubbing each other’s cheek!); even Kimbo Slice (for Norton Security) are enjoying their gigs as product endorsers here and in other countries.

It says a lot about MMA becoming a force to reckon with. Mainstream media and brand owners have now finally acknowledged the octagon warriors enough to trust them with the fate of their products.

What a way to go for a sport that was only played underground just a couple of years ago.